Burial Ceremony for Elder Huacan at Caney Quinto Mundo on 02/03/07

Takahi Guaitiao:

As most of you are aware, a beloved community elder, and UCTP representative, Hu’acan John P. Vidal, crossed over into Coaibei (the Spirit World) recently on 12/15/2006.

Hu’acan's sister, Sonia Vidal and Teresa Fair, his niece will be traveling to Boriken to fulfill one of elder Hu’acan's last wishes, which was to buried at the Caney Quinto Mundo’s Sacred Burial Grounds in his island homeland of Boriken.

We will hold Burial Ceremony for Hu’acan on Saturday, February 3, 2007. In the tradition of our ancestors, those who would like to join us are welcome. Those who cannot be here physically are welcome to join us in a prayer ceremony at 12:00pm.

You are all also welcome to send messages to be shared with the Hu’acan’s family on Friday evening as we gather around the sacred fire to share stories, songs and prayers in preparation for Saturday's Burial Ceremony.

Our Community is honored and humbled as we fulfill his last wishes to be here at the Caney.

If you will be coming on Friday or Saturday please let us know so that we can prepare for your arrival. Our email address is caney@prtc.net and our phone number is (787) 847-5039.

Tio Bo Guatukan,
Naniki Ata


Taino Elder Hu'acan at Caney Quinto Mundo, Boriken Regional Gathering, Summer 2004

See also: Elder Hu'acan: Brother, Leader, and Friend

Elder Hu'acan: Brother, Leader, and Friend

Taino'ti Guaitiao,

I write with both sadness and relief in my heart.

Taino elder Hu'acan (John P. Vidal) crossed just after midnight this morning. The cancer that came to take him finally lost to the ancestors who came to take him. He had been in increasing pain over the past two weeks, having stopped any attempts to fight the cancer with chemo months ago. The caring and deeply loving staff members at the hospice he was in were more than accommodating, allowing ceremony to happen all evening. He was surrounded by drummers, singers, medicine, and love in those last days and hours. Our sister, Gina Reyes, was there when he passed; he was far from alone.

Below are quotes from an email Hu'acan posted back on September 28, 2005 about love that I think speak accurately to Hu'acan's gift to all of us. I am honored to have been given the gift to know him at all, and to have been with him in these days leading to his crossing. He was, is, and will remain a well-loved man.

Oma'bahari and Good Journeys Hu'acan…
I love you,

Sarobei (Deanna Rivera),
UCTP Liaison Officer,
State of California


"Love is something that you can leave behind you when you die. It's that powerful."

"The Old Ones say, love is all anyone needs. Love doesn't go away nor can love be divided. Once you commit an act of love, you'll find it continues. Love is like setting up dominos one behind the other. Once you hit the first domino, it will touch the second one which will touch the third one and so on. Every love act or love thought has an affect on each person as well as touching the whole world. If you live a life filled with love, the results will affect your friends, relatives and other people, even after you go to the other side. So... Love."

"My Creator, let me love. Let me put into action the love dominos."

- Hu'acan (John P. Vidal)

Hu'acan (John P. Vidal) , 20 August 1949 - December 15, 2006

UCTP Liaison Officer for the State of California, Community and Ceremonial Leader, Veteran, beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, Councilor and Friend...

Goodbye Mr. Columbus 2004

UCTP Taino News - This year the UCTP continued its annual, month long October campaign concerned with bringing an end to the racist celebrations of Columbus Day, and the revocation of the Papal Bull Inter Ceatera via educational outreach and direct action (protests and letter writing).

As a result of the tremendous efforts by community members and allies, and in conjunction with other national initiatives, a considerable amount of media attention (articles, radio and TV interviews) was again brought to this issue. UCTP reps, community members and allies participated in protests throughout the U.S., from coast to coast. Events took place in California (at the San Juan Capistrano Mission), Washington State and Pennsylvania. A related event, the annual Papal Bulls Burning was also held in Honolulu.

Educational materials focusing on this subject were distributed via hard copy and Internet not only in the U.S. but internationally. As usual responses to these initiatives were positive over all but even the negative reactions sparked debate and worked to keep the issue current. Our statements and education and materials were even published this year by the United Nations Observer located at The Hague in the Netherlands!

A review of some of the education materials distributed this year by visiting the UCTP Website at http://uctp.org/archives.html#7a .

Columbus Day may not go away as soon as many would like but neither will the Taino, Carib or Arawak Peoples who as UCTP rep. John Hu'acan Vidal says "are are here to stay!"

As Columbus Day Draws Near...

Taino'ti Guaitiao (Greetings Relatives):

On behalf of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), it is my hope that at the time you receive this message you are in good health and spirit.

I am writing to remind you that as we draw closer to Columbus Day, there will be various activities happening to protest the Columbus Day "holiday" and we hope that you will consider supporting these or other events in your area.

If you are on the West Coast, please consider participating in the 14th annual Columbus Day Protest in Washington State, which will be held on October 9th at noon at the Peace Arch Park in Blaine, WA. The Peace Arch is located on the border between Canada & and the U.S. Look for UCTP representatives, the Garcia Family who will be attending, speaking and distributing informative materials. For more information on this gathering contact Evelyn Dye-Garcia at edyega6722@aol.com.

On Tuesday October 12th, our UCTP representative in California, John Huacan Vidal will be at the Mission at San Juan Capistrano, joining other Native Peoples and supporters to protest the colonization of Indigenous Peoples, the terrorism of the invaders, and especially the celebration of Columbus Day. The Mission is located 2 1/2 blocks west of Interstate 5 on Ortega Highway. For more information on how you can be a part of the Columbus Day Protest in California, please contact Huacan at pvidal_ny@yahoo.com.

If you are on the East Coast, please consider joining UCTP representatives at a Columbus Day Awareness Gathering at the Lancaster Square, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which will be October 11th from 4pm – 7pm. For more information on this gathering contact Tristan at 717-393-2634 or by email tristan_egolf@yahoo.com. If you would like to get more information about the Taino Delegation attending the PA gathering from the New York area and how you possibly participate in solidarity, please call Roberto Mucaro Borrero at 1(917)334-5658.

As always, we thank you all in advance for your support and please inform us if you are participating or organizing any other anti-Columbus Day activities etc. as we would like to publish this information in our hard copy News Journal "La Voz del Pueblo Taino" and the Taino News List.

Peace and Blessings,
Roberto Mucaro Borrero,
President,
UCTP – U.S. Regional Coordinating Office
http://www.uctp.org/